Thin absorptive article

ABSTRACT

To provide an absorbent article which is a relatively thin absorbent article and which is hardly twisted while fitting to the body and exhibits excellent absorptivity. 
     An absorbent article comprising at least a liquid-permeable sheet, a liquid-impermeable sheet, and an absorption body sandwiched between the liquid-permeable sheet and the liquid-impermeable sheet, wherein
         on the skin-contact surface side of the absorbent article, a compressed groove is disposed in both longitudinal edge parts at least in the center region of the absorption body so as to integrate the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body and a plurality of point-like compressed parts are disposed at intervals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an absorbent article used for sanitarynapkins, pantiliners and incontinence pads, etc., which is a relativelythin absorbent article, and which does not cause twisting and exhibitingexcellent absorptivity even in use for a long time.

BACKGROUND ART

In a sanitary napkin, compressed grooves are generally disposed forcontrol of a desired deformation or for partial hardening to preventgeneration of twisting (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai)No. 9-108262).

On the other hand, as for the sanitary napkin, a thin type is preferred.Some thin napkins, leakage-preventing grooves are disposed (Kokai No.2002-65741). By disposing leakage-preventing grooves, fitness to thebody may be enhanced, but in a thin napkin using materials with a smalltotal basis weight or in a small quantity, there is a problem that therigidity of the product is reduced, and therefore twisting (deformationof the absorbent article upon experience of a sideways force) occurs inuse for a long time, as a result, menstrual blood leaks.

In order to solve such a problem, an absorption body obtained by joiningan absorbent fiber and a highly absorbent polymer is generally used. Useof this absorption body is advantageous in that the physical propertiesare not greatly changed even in a wet state, but the cost rises (KokaiNo. 2003-291234). On the other hand, when a stack of layers of fluffedpulp obtained by disintegrating a pulp sheet is processed into a thinabsorption body, the cost is low, but the inside or surface of theabsorption body is not bonded by a binder or the like, and therefore,when the absorption body is in a wet state or is applied with apressure, twisting readily occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent articlewhich is a relatively thin absorbent article and which is hardly twistedwhile fitting to the body and exhibits excellent absorptivity.

Under these circumstances, the present inventors have made intensivestudies, as a result, it has been found that when on the skin-contactsurface side of the absorbent article, a compressed groove forintegrating a liquid-permeable sheet and an absorption body is disposedat least in both longitudinal edge parts in the center region of theabsorption body and a plurality of point-like compressed parts forintegrating the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body aredisposed at intervals, the above-described object can be attained. Thepresent invention has been accomplished based on this finding.

That is, (1) the present invention provides an absorbent articlecomprising at least a liquid-permeable sheet, a liquid-impermeablesheet, and an absorption body sandwiched between the liquid-permeablesheet and the liquid-impermeable sheet, wherein

on the skin-contact surface side of the absorbent article, a compressedgroove is disposed in both longitudinal edge parts at least in thecenter region of the absorption body so as to integrate theliquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body and a plurality ofpoint-like compressed parts are disposed at intervals.

(2) The present invention provides the absorbent article according to(1), wherein the point-like compressed parts are provided at least inthe longitudinal front or rear side with respect to the center region ofthe absorption body.

(3) The present invention provides the absorbent article according to(1) or (2), wherein the point-like compressed parts are provided atleast in the region crossing a folding position at which the absorbentarticle is folded for packaging.

(4) The present invention provides the absorbent article according toany one of (1) to (3), wherein the absorption body is obtained byfurther wrapping an absorption body containing fluffed pulp in a paperbacking.

(5) The present invention provides the absorbent article according toany one of (1) to (4), wherein the thickness of the absorption body is 8mm or less and the thickness of the absorption body in the point-likecompressed part-disposed region is 50% or less of the thickness of theabsorption body in the region where the point-like compressed parts arenot disposed.

(6) The present invention provides the absorbent article according toany one of (1) to (5), wherein the compressed groove consists of alow-compressed part and a high-compressed part and the depth of thepoint-like compressed part is larger than the depth of thelow-compressed part.

(7) The present invention provides the absorbent article according toany one of (1) to (6), wherein the width of the top-surface opening ofthe point-like compressed part is smaller than the maximum width of thetop-surface opening of the compressed groove.

(8) The present invention provides the absorbent article according toany one of (1) to (7), wherein the absorption body has a higher basisweight in the center region of the absorption body than in the regionsexcept for the center region and the point-like compressed parts aredisposed such that in the vicinity of the center of the absorption body,the interval between point-like compressed parts becomes wider than inthe regions on the front and rear sides with respect to the vicinity ofthe center.

The absorbent article of the present invention is relatively thin,nevertheless, is hardly twisted while fitting to the body and canefficiently absorb liquid excrement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a representative absorbentarticle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the sanitarynapkin of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view along A-A′.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the sanitarynapkin of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view along A-A′.

FIG. 4 shows a partially enlarged view of the A-A′ cross-section of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the sanitarynapkin of the present invention.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is described below by referring to the drawings,but the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a typical absorbent article ofthe present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 of the first embodimentcomprises at least a liquid-permeable sheet 2, a liquid-impermeablesheet 3, and an absorption body 4 sandwiched between theliquid-permeable sheet and the liquid-impermeable sheet.

On the skin-contact surface side of the absorbent article of the presentinvention, compressed grooves 6 for integrating the liquid-permeablesheet and the absorption body are disposed at least in both longitudinalside edge parts of the center region 5 of the adsorption body. Thecompressed groove fulfills a role of not only integrating theliquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body but also stopping lateralspreading of a liquid excrement from the body, such as menstrual bloodand urine, and allowing the liquid excrement to be efficientlytransferred beneath the absorption body. As shown in FIG. 1, thecompressed groove does not need to be necessarily disposed in acontinuous manner, but is preferably disposed to define a nearly closedform and surround the center region of the absorption body. The centerregion of the absorption body is a region where the excrement is mostlyabsorbed, and even it the excrement is diffused in the width directionin the center part of the absorption layer, the flow of the excrementcan be guided to the center region of the absorption layer along thecompressed groove and the leakage of the excrement can be suppressed.The compressed groove preferably consists of a high-compressed partcompressed in a ratio of 50% or more based on the thickness of theabsorption body and a low-compressed part compressed in a ratio of 20%or more. By providing a high-compressed part and a low-compressed part,the joining force with the absorption body can be enhanced and diffusionof an excrement can be prevented by collecting the excrement in thehigh-compressed part.

The shape of the high-compressed part is not particularly limited and,for example, may be in planar view, a heart shape, a diamond shape, abox shape, a triangular shape, a dot shape or a star shape. In the caseof having a pattern of hearts, stars or the like, discomfort duringmenstruation may be relieved by its design effect. The high-compressedpart and the low-compressed part does not need to be necessarilydisposed as long as they are continuously disposed in the longitudinaldirection and may be disposed, for example, in a grid-like pattern.

The width of the top-surface opening of the compressed groove is from 1to 10 mm, preferably from 1.5 to 5 mm, and is usually about 2.0 mm. Ifthe width is less than 1 mm, sufficient rigidity is not obtained and theabsorbent article cannot be controlled so as to become the desireddeformation, whereas if it exceeds 10 mm, a portion being highly rigidand coming into contact with the skin is increased to give anuncomfortable feeling in use. Incidentally, when the width of thetop-surface opening of the compressed groove varies depending on theposition of the compressed groove, the width of the top-surface openingmeans the maximum width of top-surface openings.

On the skin-contact surface side of the absorbent article, a pluralityof point-like compressed parts 7 for integrating the permeable sheet andthe absorption body are further disposed at constant intervals. Thepoint-like compressed part is preferably disposed in a regionlongitudinally forward or rearward (preferably rearward) rather than thecenter region of the absorption body. The forward or rearward region issusceptible to motion of the body during, such as waking orstanding/sitting, but by providing a point-like compressed part inaddition to the compressed groove, the movement of the materialconstituting the absorption body can be controlled, and the material isallowed to uniformly exist in the entire absorbent article, therebyallowing for little twisting. As a result, despite the same basisweight, the rigidity of the absorbent article is higher than that of theabsorbent article where only a compressed groove or only a point-likecompressed part is provided. In the following, unless otherwiseindicated, the “rigidity” means the rigidity of the entire absorbentarticle.

Also, by providing a point-like compressed part 7, the contact area withthe skin can be decreased, so that the absorbent article can beprevented from sticking to the body, and stuffiness can be reduced. Thepoint-liked compressed part is preferably disposed at least in theregion extending across the folding position for packaging (for example,X-X′ in FIG. 1) of the absorbent article. Usually, the absorbent articleis individually packaged in a state of being folded, and therefore thematerial constituting the absorption body in the portion correspondingto the folding position is liable to move in use and readily causestwisting. By disposing point-like compressed parts to spread across thefolding position for packaging, the movement of the materialconstituting the absorption body at the folding position for packagingcan be controlled, and therefore the absorption body is hardly twisted.

Optionally, point-like compressed parts may be disposed almost over theentire surface of the absorption body, including the center region ofthe absorption body. By arrangement over the entire surface, themovement of the material constituting the absorption body can be moresuccessfully controlled and in turn, occurrence of twisting is morereduced.

By the arrangement of point-like compressed parts, not only twisting isreduced or eliminated but also a liquid excrement flowing on the surfaceof the absorbent article is easily caught. That is, by disposingpoint-like compressed parts, a high-density portion (a portion where apoint-like compressed part is disposed) and a low-density portion (aportion where a point-like compressed part is not disposed) having morespaces than the high-density portion are formed in the absorption body,where the low-density portion is excellent in instantaneous absorptionfor an excrement discharged in a large amount at a time and thehigh-density portion can attract the absorbed excrement and give anability to spare for absorption to the low-density portion.

The width of the top-surface opening of the point-like compressed partis from 0.3 to 5 mm, preferably from 0.5 to 3 mm, and is usually about1.2 mm. If the width of the top-surface opening of the point-likecompressed part is less than 0.3 mm, only a hole is created and the partcannot serves as a compressed part for increasing the rigidity, failingin preventing twisting. If the width exceeds 5 mm, a rigid portionbrought into contact with the skin is increased to give an uncomfortablefeeling in use. Incidentally, in the case where the shape of thetop-surface opening of the point-like compressed part is polygonal, thediameter of the inscribed circle is defined as the width of thetop-surface opening. The shape of the point-like compressed part is notparticularly limited and may be, for example, in planar view, a heartshape, a diamond shape, a box shape, a triangular shape, a dot shape ora star shape. In the case of having a pattern of hearts, stars or thelike, discomfort during menstruation may be relieved by its designeffect.

The distance between a compressed groove and a point-like compressedpart and the distance between point-like compressed parts are 20 mm orless, preferably 15 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less. If thedistance between compressed parts exceeds 20 mm, the rigidity betweencompressed parts is decreased and the absorption body may be twistedstarting therefrom. Also, the width of the top-surface opening of thepoint-like compressed part is preferably smaller than the width of thetop-surface opening of the compressed groove. If the width is largerthan the width of the top-surface opening of the compressed groove, thepoint-like compressed part surpasses in the rigidity and may inhibit thecompressed groove behavior of controlling the shape of the absorptionbody to fit to the body when a force is laterally imposed. Thepoint-like compressed parts are preferably formed to spread across thecompressed groove. In the vicinity of the compressed groove, theabsorption body is liable to be greatly twisted, and the point-likecompressed part is provided so as to prevent pulp or fiber constitutingthe absorption body from being transferred more than necessary, whileensuring deformation to follow the movement of the body.

The depth of the point-like compressed part is preferably larger thanthe depth of the low-compressed part of the compressed groove. If thedepth is smaller than the depth of the low-compressed part, the effectof integrating the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body is notobtained by the point-like compressed part. On the other hand, if it islarger than the depth of the high-compressed part of the compressedgroove, the rigidity becomes excessively strong and may inhibit behaviorof the compressed groove.

For the absorption body, a powder or granular material formed from amixture obtained by pulverizing sheet-like wood pulp and mixing theresulting fluffed pulp with a highly absorptive polymer is used. Inplace of wood pulp, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fiber orartificial cellulose fiber such as rayon and acetate may be used.Examples of the highly absorptive polymer include a starch-based,acrylic acid-based or amino acid-based, particulate or fibrous polymer.To this powder or granular material, a thermal fusion bonding agent forthermally fusing the powder or granular material may be further added.

The absorption body is usually wrapped with a paper backing 8 such astissue paper. The thickness of the absorption body is 8 mm or less,preferably 5 mm or less. If the thickness of the absorption body exceeds8 mm, since point-like compressed parts are disposed at intervals, theliquid-permeable sheet cannot be elongated when forming the point-likecompressed part and is ruptured, failing in forming the compressed part.Even if the compressed part can be formed, the absorbent article becomeshard and bad usefulness results. The thickness of the absorption body inthe region where point-like compressed parts are disposed is preferably50% or less of the thickness of the absorption body in the region wherethe point-like compressed part is not disposed. If the thickness exceeds50%, adequate rigidity is not obtained.

The liquid-permeable sheet is entirely or partially liquid-permeable,and the liquid permeation area is formed of, for example, a resin filmhaving formed therein a large number of liquid permeation holes, anet-like sheet having a large number of meshes, a liquid-permeablenonwoven fabric or a woven fabric. As for the resin film or net-likesheet, those formed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate or the like may be used. As for the nonwoven fabric, forexample, a spunlaced nonwoven fiber formed of a cellulose fiber (e.g.,rayon), a synthetic resin fiber or the like, and an air-through nonwovenfabric formed of the synthetic resin fiber above, may be used. The basisweight of the liquid-permeable sheet is preferably from 15 to 100 g/m²,more preferably from 20 to 50 g/m², still more preferably from 10 to 40g/m². If the basis weight is less than 15 g/m², an adequate surfacestrength is not obtained and the sheet may be ruptured during use. If itexceeds 100 g/m², excessive roughness is produced to give anuncomfortable feeling during use. The density is 0.12 g/cm² or less andis not particularly limited, as long as the sheet is liquid-permeable.If the density exceeds the value above, smooth permeation betweenliquid-permeable fibers is difficult. In the case where the excrement ismenstrual blood, a sheet with a low density is preferred, because themenstrual blood is viscous compared to urine and the like.

The liquid-impermeable sheet is sparingly permeable to liquid and doesnot pass a liquid excrement. Specifically, the liquid-impermeable sheetincludes a conventionally employed material, such as film mainlycomposed of a low-density polyethylene resin and prepared to have abasis weight of 15 to 30 g/m².

On the non-skin-contact surface of the liquid-impermeable sheet, a slipstopper such as adhesive for fixing to an underwear such as panty ispreferably provided on the non-skin-contact surface side of theliquid-impermeable sheet. The point-like compressed part is preferablydisposed at a position where the slip stopper is not provided in thethickness direction. This is because of the following reasons. Usually,the liquid-impermeable sheet is fixed to the absorption body by anadhesive or the like, and therefore the absorption body in the portioncorresponding to the position at which a slip stopper is provided on theliquid-impermeable sheet can move together with a panty even when thecrotch portion of the panty moves in response to the movement of thebody. On the other hand, the absorption body in the portioncorresponding to the position at which a slip stopper is not provided onthe liquid-impermeable sheet may allow for creation of a space betweenthe panty and the liquid-impermeable sheet when the crotch portion ofthe panty moves, and movement of the material constituting theabsorption body corresponding to that portion cannot be controlled, as aresult, twisting is readily caused. Examples of the slip stopper includea hot-melt adhesive. The slip stopper may be continuously coated in aline or belt fashion or may be coated intermittently. For the reasonabove, even when there is a portion where a slip stopper isintermittently provided, the surface profile of the absorbent article iseasily maintained thanks to the arrangement of point-like compressedparts.

In the absorption body and/or the liquid-impermeable sheet, a coloredregion may be disposed. The colored region may be partially disposed,and in such a case, the colored region needs to be disposed in theregion where the point-like compressed part is provided.

When the colored region is disposed, in the point-like compressed part,the color of the colored region is seen through, because the thicknessof the absorption body is reduced therein. Also, the position of thepoint-like compressed part can be clearly recognized with an eye beforeuse, and this is likely to give a feeling of security for absorptivepower and an impression of good air permeability to the wearer. Also,during use or after use, the visibility of the liquid excrement absorbeddiffers between the position of the point-like compressed part and otherpositions, and the wearer readily realizes the absorptive power.

The colored region needs to be in a color different from the absorptionbody or liquid-impermeable sheet where the colored region is provided.The color may be selected, for example, by taking into consideration thepsychological effect, but any color may be used. The materialconstituting the colored region is not particularly limited as long asit is a colored material such as a resin in which ink, a coatingmaterial or a colorant is contained, a nonwoven fabric in which acolorant is mixed, a nonwoven fabric whose surface is coated with acolorant, a film in which a colorant is mixed, and a film whose surfaceis coated with a colorant, but a hot-melt adhesive containing a colorantis preferred. For example, between the liquid-permeable sheet and theabsorption body or between the absorption body and theliquid-impermeable sheet, a hot-melt adhesive containing a colorant maybe coated to join respective members or may be disposed after forming itinto a film or a sheet. Also when a colored liquid-impermeable sheet isprovided, the color of the liquid-impermeable sheet can be viewedthrough the point-like compressed part.

The liquid-permeable sheet 2 and the absorption body 4 are preferablyfurther integrated by an adhesive layer. When integrated by an adhesivelayer, twisting of the absorbent article can be more reduced. Examplesof the adhesive layer include a layer composed of a hot-melt resin or ahot-melt adhesive. After providing the adhesive layer, heat embossing isapplied to form the compressed groove and the point-like compressedpart, whereby not only the joining force between the liquid-permeablesheet and the absorption body can be enhanced but also the strength ordurability of the stack of these members can be increased and in turn,twisting can be more reduced. If desired, a hydrophilic fiber-containingnonwoven fabric may be inserted as a second sheet between theliquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body.

In the widthwise edge part of the absorbent article, a permeable sidesheet 10 joined at least partially to both the right and left sides ofthe liquid-permeable sheet 2 may be disposed.

Also, in the edge part on both sides near the center of the absorptionbody, a wing part may be formed by letting the side sheet and theliquid-impermeable sheet 3 stick out outwardly in the width direction.

The absorbent article of the present invention can be used as a sanitarynapkin, a pantiliner, an incontinence pad or the like.

The production method of the absorbent article of the present inventionincludes at least an embossing step of stacking a liquid-permeable sheet2 and an absorption body 4 and compressing the stack in the thicknessdirection. The compressed groove and the point-like compressed part maybe simultaneously formed by the embossing or may be separately formed inany order. For example, in the case of simultaneously forming thesegrooves and parts, between a roll (first roll) having on the rollersurface thereof convex streaks corresponding to the entire shape of thecompressed groove and convex parts corresponding to the entire shape ofthe point-like compressed part and a smooth roll (second roll), anabsorbent material after stacking a liquid-permeable sheet and anabsorption body is disposed by arranging the liquid-permeable sheet tocome into contact with the first roll, and the absorbent material iscompressed. An adhesive such as hot-melt adhesive may be applied betweenthe liquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body. Incidentally, in theabsorbent article of the present invention, the compressed groove andthe point-like compressed part are formed by embossing, and thereforeeven when an adhesive is not used, the liquid-permeable sheet and theabsorption body can be integrated. Also, even if an adhesive is used,the amount used thereof can be decreased and production at a low costcan be achieved.

Finally, a liquid-impermeable sheet 3 is provided to thenon-skin-contact surface side of the absorption body 4 of the embossedabsorbent material, and the absorption body 4 and the liquid-impermeablesheet 3 are joined. The absorption body and the liquid-impermeable sheetmay be joined by using, for example, a hot-melt adhesive.

In the embodiment above, the production method of a sanitary napkin isdescribed as an example, but this method can be also applied to theproduction of other absorbent articles, for example, a pantiliner or anincontinence pad.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is described in greater detail below, but thepresent invention is not limited to these Examples.

Example 1

FIG. 2 shows a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the sanitarynapkin of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view along A-A′.In FIG. 2, a compressed groove 6 is disposed in the center region 5 ofthe absorption body and the longitudinally forward and rearward parts ofthe center region to continue at the center region and at the same time,point-like compressed parts 7 are disposed at the equal intervals almostover the entire surface of the absorption body 4. The sanitary napkin ofFIG. 2 was produced as follows.

First, the following members were prepared.

(1) Absorption Body 4

Fluffed pulp (basis weight: 180 g/m²) and a highly absorptive polymer(basis weight: 30 g/m²) were almost uniformly dispersed, and thedispersion was wrapped with a tissue paper (basis weight: 15 g/m²), andfurther, almost the entire surface was pressed to give a thickness ofabout 2 mm. The absorption body after pressing had a length of 195 mmand a width of 75 mm.

(2) Liquid-Permeable Sheet 2

An air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight: 30 g/m², length: 230 mm,width: 80 mm) was used as the liquid-permeable sheet.

(3) Second Sheet (Not Shown)

An air-through nonwoven fabric (basis weight: 30 g/m², length: 230 mm,width: 80 mm) was used as the second sheet

(4) Liquid-Impermeable Sheet 3

A film containing a colorant was used.

The absorption body 4, the second sheet and the liquid-permeable sheet 2were stacked in this order, a hot-melt adhesive was coated betweenrespective layers, and heat embossing was applied using a heat embossingroll to integrate the liquid-permeable sheet, the second sheet and theabsorption body.

By the heat embossing above, a compressed groove 6 and point-likecompressed parts 7 were formed at the positions shown in FIG. 2. Thewidth of the compressed groove was set to 2.0 mm. The point-likecompressed part was formed by compression in a ratio of 50 to 99% basedon the thickness of the absorption body. The diameter of the point-likecompressed part was set to 1.2 mm, and the distance between point-likecompressed parts was set to 10 mm.

A side sheet 10 was disposed in the widthwise edge part of theintegrated laminate, and a liquid-impermeable sheet 3 was disposed onthe non-skin-contact surface side of the laminate. Furthermore, the sidesheet and the liquid-impermeable sheet was laminated together near theabsorption body in the longitudinal direction, and the laminate was cutinto a product shape. Incidentally, on the non-skin-contact surface sideof the liquid-impermeable sheet and the wing part, a slip stopper 9(hot-melt adhesive) for fixing to a panty was applied.

In the sanitary napkin of this Example, point-like compressed parts aredisposed almost over the entire surface of the absorption body andtherefore, twisting is hardly caused.

Example 2

FIG. 3 shows a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the sanitarynapkin of the present invention, and a cross-sectional view along A-A′.In FIG. 3, a compressed groove 6 is disposed in the center region 5 ofthe absorption body and the longitudinally forward and rearward parts ofthe center region to continue at the center region. Also, point-likecompressed parts 7 are disposed almost over the entire surface of theabsorption body 4 at such intervals as becoming sparse near the centerof the absorption body and dense in the forward and rearward regionsnear the center. FIG. 4 shows an example of the partially enlarged viewof the A-A′ cross-section of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the thickness (that is,the distance b) of the portion having a point-like compressed part 7near the center of the absorption body and the thickness (that is, thedistance b′) of the portion having a point-like compressed part 7 in theforward and rearward regions near the center are the same and the depthof the point-like compressed part is smaller than the depth (that is,the distance a) of the high-compressed part of the compressed groove 6.

The members used for producing the sanitary napkin of this Example arethe same as in Example 1 except for the absorption body. In theabsorption body used in this Example, the basis weight in the centerregion of the absorption body was 260 g/m², the basis weight in theregion other than the center region was 130 g/m², the length was 195 mm,and the width was 75 mm.

Heat embossing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 to forma compressed groove 6 and point-like compressed part 7 at the positionsshown in FIG. 3. The width of the compressed groove was set to 2.0 mm.The diameter of the point-like compressed part was set to 1.2 mm, thedistance between point-like compressed parts was set to 10 mm near thecenter of the absorption body and 5 mm in the forward and rearwardregions near the center.

In the sanitary napkin of this Example, the basis weight is high in thecenter region of the absorption body, where a liquid excrement isdirectly absorbed, but point-like compressed parts are disposed near thecenter of the absorption body, whereby twisting is hardly caused.Furthermore, point-like compressed parts are sparsely disposed near thecenter of the absorption body to increase the instantaneous absorption,and point-like compressed parts are densely disposed in the forward andrearward regions near the center of the absorption body to reduce thecontact area with the skin, whereby the absorbent article can be made tohardly stick to the body.

Example 3

FIG. 5 shows a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the sanitarynapkin of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a compressed groove 6 isdisposed in the center region 5 of the absorption body and thelongitudinally forward and rearward parts of the center region tocontinue at the center region, and point-like compressed parts 7 aredisposed at the equal intervals only in the forward and rearward regionsnear the center of the absorption body.

All of the members used for producing the sanitary napkin of thisExample are the same as in Example 2.

Heat embossing was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 to forma compressed groove 6 and point-like compressed part 7 at the positionsshown in FIG. 5. The point-like compressed part was formed bycompression in a ratio of 50 to 99% based on the thickness of theabsorption body. The width of the compressed groove was set to 2.0 mm.The diameter of the point-like compressed part was set to 1.2 mm, andthe distance between point-like compressed parts was set to 8 mm.

In the sanitary napkin of this Example, due to a high basis weight inthe center region of the absorption body, the contact ratio with theskin is high. In the forward and rearward regions near the center of theabsorption body, twisting is less caused than in the center region ofthe absorption body. However, since utterly no point-like compressedpart is disposed near the center of the absorption body, separationbetween the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorption body may beseparated in use compared with the sanitary napkin of Example 2.

As another embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention,at the time of providing point-like compressed parts, the compressedparts may be provided also on the liquid-impermeable sheet side by usinga second roll having provided thereon convex parts and compressing theabsorption body from the liquid-impermeable sheet side. Particularly, inthe center region where the basis weight or thickness of the absorptionbody is large, when a smooth second roll is used, the distance for whichthe absorption body is pressed by the convex part of the first rollbecomes large and the surface sheet in the portion abutting with theconvex part may be ruptured. However, when the absorption body iscompressed also from the liquid-impermeable sheet side, the distance forwhich the absorption body is pressed from one side becomes short thanksto pressing by respective convex parts of upper and lower rolls andrupture of the sheet hardly occurs.

The absorbent article of the present invention may be in an embodimentwhere when the absorbent article is viewed from the liquid-impermeablesheet side, light passes and is seen through the high-compressed partand the point-like compressed part. This is achieved by the formation toa larger depth of the point-like compressed part than the low-compressedpart of the compressed groove or because of the magnitude or the like ofthe width of the top-surface opening of the point-like compressed partor the high-compressed part. In turn, before use, the position of thepoint-like compressed part and the position of the high-compressed partcan be clearly recognize with an eye by the wearer and an impression ofgood absorptive power and air permeability can be given. Furthermore,although it may vary depending on the magnitude of the top-surfaceopening width of the point-like compressed part or the high-compressedpart, when such a part is formed in a pattern of hearts, stars or thelike, the pattern can be clearly recognized with an eye also from theliquid-impermeable sheet side, and discomfort during menstruation can berelived thanks to its design effect.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1: Absorbent article-   2: Liquid-permeable sheet-   3: Liquid-impermeable sheet-   4: Absorption body-   5: Center region of absorption body-   6: Compressed groove-   7: Point-like compressed part-   8: Paper backing-   9: Slip stopper-   10: Side sheet

1. An absorbent article comprising at least a liquid-permeable sheet, aliquid-impermeable sheet, and an absorption body sandwiched between saidliquid-permeable sheet and said liquid-impermeable sheet, wherein on theskin-contact surface side of said absorbent article, a compressed grooveis disposed in both longitudinal edge parts at least in the centerregion of the absorption body so as to integrate said liquid-permeablesheet and said absorption body, and a plurality of point-like compressedparts are disposed at intervals.
 2. The absorbent article according toclaim 1, wherein said point-like compressed parts are provided at leastin the longitudinal front or rear side with respect to the center regionof the absorption body.
 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or2, wherein said point-like compressed parts are provided at least in theregion crossing a folding position at which the absorbent article isfolded for packaging.
 4. The absorbent article according to any one ofclaims 1 to 3, wherein said absorption body is obtained by furtherwrapping an absorption body containing fluffed pulp in a paper backing.5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe thickness of said absorption body is 8 mm or less and the thicknessof the absorption body in the point-like compressed part-disposed regionis 50% or less of the thickness of the absorption body in the regionwhere said point-like compressed parts are not disposed.
 6. Theabsorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein saidcompressed groove consists of a low-compressed part and ahigh-compressed part and the depth of said point-like compressed part islarger than the depth of said low-compressed part.
 7. The absorbentarticle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the width of thetop-surface opening of said point-like compressed part is smaller thanthe maximum width of the top-surface opening of said compressed groove.8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, whereinsaid absorption body has a higher basis weight in the center region ofthe absorption body than in the regions except for said center regionand the point-like compressed parts are disposed such that in thevicinity of the center of the absorption body, the interval betweenpoint-like compressed parts becomes wider than in the regions on thefront and rear sides with respect to said vicinity of the center.